Video management

Network cameras are only ever as good as the selection and configuration of the video management systems that control them. Systems should enable users to monitor, analyze and store video output effectively. The chapter compares a "PC Server platform" approach with an "NVR platform" approach using a dedicated device such as a Network Video Recorder (NVR) for managing network video output. This chapter also covers options for building event management, motion detection and audio capability into systems.

Systems based on an network video platform are suitable for integration to other systems such as access control or building management, and the information from those systems can be used to trigger functions in the network video system, for example to store images related to events.

Hardware platforms

There are two different types of platforms for network video management: PC Server platforms and NVR platforms (Network Video Recorder). Both types are based on PCs but there are some noticeable differences.

A PC Server platform solution on the other hand runs on ‘off the shelf’ hardware where hardware components have been selected to obtain the maximum performance. With a PC Server platform solution it is possible to leverage on standard components, such as increased or external storage, additional remote operator stations and to run additional software in parallel to the video application, such as firewalls and virus protection.

The most obvious difference between an NVR platform and a PC Server platform type solution is that an NVR comes as a hardware box with the video management functionality pre-installed. By definition, it is dedicated to its specific tasks of recording, analyzing and playing back of network video. NVRs do not allow for any other applications to reside on them. The NVR hardware itself is "locked" to this application and the unit can very rarely be altered to accommodate anything outside its original specification.

Systems designed on a network platforms are fully scalable. Cameras and licenses can be added one by one and the system hardware can be expanded to meet increased performance requirements. This platform is suitable for system scenarios where a large number of cameras are deployed or when the IT department has standard specifications on the server hardware and software allowed on the network.

PC Server platforms

A PC Server platform solution, as mentioned above, runs on off-the-shelf hardware, where hardware components have been selected to achieve the maximum performance for the specific design of the system, such as detached storage or dual processor systems.

As the PC Server platform system is based on standard hardware components it is possible to still use the end user’s preferred choice of hardware as well as their existing suppliers of IT equipment and maintenance services.

NVR platforms

An NVR has some similarities to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in relation to recording and play-back. A DVR is in fact a hybrid system that can accommodate analog cameras and store the video on a hard disk in digital format. An NVR is a true digital system that receives digital images/video streams over the network and records them on a hard disk in a digital format. Some DVRs have a rudimentary interface to the network that offers remote viewing capabilities. An NVR does not have a dedicated monitor and keyboard. All viewing and management of the NVR takes place remotely over the network via a PC.

An NVR is designed to offer optimal performance for up to a set number of cameras, which makes it less scalable than a PC Server platform system. This makes the unit suitable for smaller system configurations where the number of cameras stays within the limits of the NVR design capacity. An advantage is that an NVR is less complex to install in comparison to a PC Server platform.

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